Hibiscus plant named ‘ROSINA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Hibiscus  cultivar named ‘ROSINA’ is disclosed, characterized by clear light lavender single flowers without a distinctive dark eye. Plants are extremely dwarf and have lush dark green foliage. The new variety is a  Hibiscus , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Hibiscus paramutabilis×syriacus.

Variety denomination: ‘ROSINA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Hibiscus cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Mary Louisa Butcher Hill. The objective ofthe breeding program was to produce new Hibiscus varieties with dwarfplant habits. The open pollination resulting in this new variety wasmade during 1989 at a farm belonging to the inventor in West Tisbury,Mass.

The seed parent is not absolutely identified. Seed was collected fromboth Hibiscus paramutabilis×syriacus ‘Tosca’ and Hibiscusparamutabilis×syriacus ‘Lohengrin’. Plants of both of these varietieswere open pollinated. The pollen parent is also either Hibiscusparamutabilis×syriacus ‘Tosca’ or Hibiscus paramutabilis×syriacus‘Lohengrin’. The new variety was identified as a potentially interestingselection in August 1997. Selection was made at the same farm in WestTisbury, Mass.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘ROSINA’ was first performed inJuly of 2007 at the farm in West Tisbury, Mass. by vegetative soft woodcuttings. Subsequent propagation has shown that the unique features ofthis cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in multiplesuccessive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘ROSINA’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘ROSINA’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘ROSINA’ as a new and distinct Hibiscuscultivar:

-   -   1. Exceptionally dwarf plant.    -   2. Very dark, lush foliage.    -   3. Distinctive clear light lavender flowers without a        distinctive dark center eye.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ROSINA’ are similar to plants of the varietyHibiscus paramutabilis×syriacus ‘Tosca’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘ROSINA’ differ inthe following;

-   -   1. The new variety is significantly shorter, growing to 3 to 4        feet, compared to 10 to 12 feet.    -   2. The new variety produces smaller flowers.    -   3. Flowers of the new variety do not have the distinctive red        eye seen in ‘Tosca’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ROSINA’ are similar to plants Hibiscusparamutabilis×syriacus ‘Lohengrin’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘ROSINA’ differ inthe following;

-   -   1. The new variety is significantly shorter, growing to 3 to 4        feet, compared to 10 to 12 feet.    -   2. The new variety produces smaller flowers.    -   3. Flowers of the new variety are solid lavender, flowers of        ‘Lohengrin’ are white with a red eye.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ROSINA’ can be compared to the varietyHibiscus ‘ILVO347’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,285. These varieties aresimilar in most horticultural characteristics however, ‘ROSINA’ differsin the following:

-   -   1. Flower color of the new variety is solid lavender. Flower        color of this comparator is more pink and has a red center.    -   2. Plants of the new variety grow to approximately 3 to 4 feet,        plants of this comparator grow to 8 to 12 feet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘ROSINA’ grown in the ground outdoors in Grand Haven,Mich.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical flower of ‘ROSINA’. Age ofthe plant photographed is approximately 2 years.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2015, 6^(th) edition, except wheregeneral terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Thefollowing observations and measurements describe ‘ROSINA’ plants grownin a polyhouse in Grand Haven, Mich. Measurements were taken during theJuly of 2015. The plants were 2 years old in 3 gallon containers. Thegrowing temperature ranged from approximately 18° C. to 27° C. duringthe day and 5° C. to 10° C. Measurements and numerical values representaverages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Hibiscus paramutabilis×syriacus ‘ROSINA’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: 20 days at approximately 25° C.-   Root description: Fibrous, medium root thickness. Tan/brown in    color, not effectively measured with a color chart.-   Time to produce a rooted young plant: About 90 days at 25° C.

PLANT

-   Plant type: Perennial shrub.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 2 years old.-   Growth habit: Upright, globular.-   Pot size of plant described: 3 gallon pot.-   Height: 50 cm.-   Plant spread: 73 cm.-   Plant vigor: Strong dwarf plant.-   Branching characteristics: Branching near base. Some pinching    required to encourage a denser plant habit.-   Length of primary lateral branches: 50 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: 3 mm.-   Quantity of lateral branches: Average 5.-   Stem:    -   -   Stem shape.—Round.        -   Stem strength.—Sturdy and rigid.        -   Color.—Stem: Near yellow-Green 145A, overlay Greyed-Green            194B. Bark: Near RHS Grey-Brown 199B with a hint of            Yellow-Green 145A.        -   Texture.—Woody with bark.        -   Angle of attachment.—Average angle 30 to 45° from center of            plant.-   Internode length: 5.3 cm on average.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Single leaves, 3 to 4 protruding from same node            on same side of stem.        -   Leaf shape.—Hastate.        -   Average length.—10 to 12 cm.        -   Average width.—8 cm.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Lobed and coarsely crenate.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth and slightly scabrose.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth and slightly scabrose with            distinct veins.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 141A. Young            foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Mature            foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 139A. Mature foliage            under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147B.        -   Venation.—Pattern: Palmate. Venation coloration: Prominent            feature in leaf blade. Color upper side: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 145A. Color under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green            145C.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: 3 to 7 cm. Diameter: 3 mm. Petiole            color upper side: Near RHS Green 137B over a hint of            Yellow-Green 145A. Petiole color lower side: Near RHS Green            137C over a hint of 145B. Petiole Texture upper side:            Slightly pubescent. Petiole Texture lower side: Smooth.        -   Stipules.—2 stipules on either side of leaf grouping. 8 mm            long, less than 1 mm wide, colored near Grey-Brown 199D.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Late Spring through Late Summer.-   Flowering form: Single, rotate.-   Flower habit: Solitary, emerging from leaf axils.-   Flower longevity on plant: About 2 to 3 days.-   Quantity of flowers per plant: About 50 flowers and buds on a mature    plant in full bloom.-   Flower aspect: Upright and outward.-   Size:    -   -   Length.—8 to 9 cm.        -   Diameter.—6 to 11 cm.-   Flower other characteristics:    -   -   Persistence.—Self-cleaning.        -   Fragrance.—Subtle floral scent.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Oval.        -   Length.—Average 2.0 to 4.0 cm, depending on maturity.        -   Diameter.—Average 1.0 to 2.0 cm, depending on maturity.        -   Color.—Near Purple 75A, striations of White 155D.-   Petal:    -   -   Petal arrangement.—Single overlapping whorl.        -   Number of petals per flower.—5.        -   Fused.—No.        -   Petal shape.—Obovate.        -   Petal base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Undulate.        -   Tip shape.—Obutuse.        -   Length.—5.0 cm.        -   Width.—4.0 cm.        -   Texture.—Upper: Glabrous, soft. Lower: Glabrous, soft.        -   Appearance.—Delicate, with slightly matte appearance upper            and lower surfaces.-   Petal color:    -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Base of Purple Group 75B, with            shading of Purple-Violet Group 82B into Violet Blue 90A.            Lower surface: Base of Purple 75C, with shading of            Purple-Violet Group 82C into Violet-Blue 90B.        -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Base of Purple Group 75A with            shading into Violet-Blue Group 89C. Lower surface: Base of            Purple Group 75A with shading into Violet-Blue Group 89C.        -   Fading to.—Upper surface: Base of Purple Group 75A fading to            Violet-Blue Group 89C. Lower surface: Base of Purple Group            75A with fading to Violet-Blue Group 89C.-   Sepal:    -   -   Arrangement.—Radial.        -   Number.—Average 5 or 6.        -   Shape.—Narrow deltate.        -   Tip.—Narrowly acute.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Length.—3.5 cm.        -   Width.—2 mm.        -   Texture, upper.—Glabrous.        -   Texture, lower.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—Mature: Upper surface: Near Green 139B. Under surface            Near Green 139B.-   Calyx:    -   -   Shape.—Funnelform.        -   Length.—2.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—1.5 cm.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—5 cm.        -   Diameter.—3 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B.        -   Orientation.—25°.        -   Strength.—Rigid.        -   Texture.—Slightly pubescent.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—Average 48, clustered and implanted in style,            typical of Hibiscus.        -   Filament length.—6 mm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS White 155A.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Narrow globular.        -   Length.—2 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS White 155A.        -   Pollen color.—Near RHS White 155A.        -   Pollen amount.—Moderate.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—4.25 cm.        -   Style.—Length: 3.7 cm. Color: Near RHS White 155C.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Peltate. Color: Near RHS White 155A.        -   Ovary color.—Near RHS White 155C with light shading of            Red-Purple 60B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    normal diseases and pests of Hibiscus paramutabilis×syriacus have    been observed.-   Garden performance: Good tolerance for wind and rainy conditions.-   Temperature tolerance: Low temperature tolerance to −26° C., high    temperature tolerance to 35° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plantnamed ‘ROSINA’ as herein illustrated and described.